About the Post

Author Information

Jessica is a contributing writer for The Hudsucker. You can usually find her dissecting the latest season of 'Game of Thrones', or singing along to Taylor Swift's '1989' in the car at stop lights. Feel free to say hi. Personal motto: Live every day like you're Glen Coco.

Post Information

You are here:Home»Actor Joshua Pak on Academy Award-Winning Talent in ‘Tully’

Actor Joshua Pak on Academy Award-Winning Talent in ‘Tully’

In 2007, audiences around the world fell in love with actors Ellen Page and Michael Cera in their coming-of-age film, Juno. The movie was written by Diablo Cody, who went on to win Best Original Screenplay for it at the 2008 Academy Awards. Fast forward 10 years; Cody’s done it again with her new film, Tully— a project that stars Charlize Theron and directed by Jason Reitman.

The dramedy, now in theatres focuses on a mother who hires a night nanny to help with her newborn and we were lucky enough to speak with one of the stars of the film, actor Joshua Pak, who opened up about the role of a lifetime.

Actor Joshua Pak. Source: Alana Paterson

Pak is a relatively new face to movie-goers. With Tully as his first major film, audiences will get to know the actor in his role of Dallas with a project, Pak says, was a milestone for his young career.

“When I found out I was cast as Dallas, I was beyond thrilled. I’ve always been a huge fan of Charlize, Jason and Diablo. I called my family and close friends to share the good news,” Pak said. “Never in my lifetime did I think I would be co-starring opposite an Academy Award-winning actress, directed by a four-time Academy Award-[nominated] director, and speak the words of an Academy Award-winning writer. It was definitely a highlight of my career.”

Dallas is a straight-laced principal’s assistant at St. Vitus elementary, who witnesses some of the struggles Marlo (Theron) goes through while trying to raise three kids.

“Dallas sees Marlo’s character go through extremes in behavior. At one point in the film Dallas overhears a conversation between Marlo and the principal that doesn’t go over too well and sees how her character deals with confronting the issue,” Pak said.

When he initially read the script, Pak says he was blown away by Cody’s writing, which was not surprising given her previous work.

“When I read Tully for the first time, it was unlike anything I’ve ever read before. Diablo’s attention to detail is impeccable – from the stage direction to the dialogue; all of the characters are distinct from one another,” he shares. “She has the ability to make people laugh and cry at the same time, which is mind-blowing. I’ve always been a huge fan of her work, she’s a gift to the film industry. She had me at Juno!”

And speaking of seasoned talent in the film industry, Pak’s experience working with Academy Award-nominated director, Jason Reitman, was not only a great experience, but offered surprises of its own.

“What surprised me the most when working on the film was the fact that Jason doesn’t rehearse as he believes being present lends to moments you can’t plan for. Jason puts a lot of trust in the actors he casts and I admire him for that. He is also one the nicest human beings I’ve ever met. He is so humble, down to earth and funny.”

Pak continues, “Peeking out of the green room to watch Jason lead the ship. Watching the collaboration between him, the cast and every department on the film was like a master class for me.”

Viewers can expect some of Cody and Reitman’s best work in the film, and let us in on what audiences can expect.

“[Tully] takes a raw and honest look at what motherhood is like. Viewers will be able to empathize with all of the characters and feel less alone. It’s also very funny, you’ll be laughing and crying like myself.”

Tully, officially certified fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, is in theaters now. For more information on Joshua Pak and his upcoming work, check out his IMDb and follow him on Twitter.